Maelis Carraro

Maelis is the Director of Catalyst Fund and the Impact Ventures Practice at BFA Global.

She spent her career working alongside fintech startups, investors, banks, and donors to pioneer tech and data-enabled solutions for underserved communities in emerging markets. She runs global accelerator-Catalyst Fund, supported by JP Morgan Chase & Co and the UK aid, and helped over 30 early-stage fintech startups create innovative and affordable solutions for underserved communities and small businesses in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Previously, Maelis worked at the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group), advising financial institutions on digital innovation and responsible financial inclusion strategies across fragile and emerging markets, as well as the OECD and the Grameen Bank, where she researched micro-financing schemes for climate adaptation, and impact fund- Global Partnerships, where she designed investment strategies to support tech-enabled businesses across Africa. Maelis also co-founded RemitMas, an inclusive fintech startup focused on remittances for savings for Latino immigrants in the US

Maelis is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a dual MBA and Master in International Affairs from Columbia Business School and the School of International and Public Affairs. She received her B.A Cum Laude from University College London in Political Science and Development Economics.